Port approves rail grant application

Port of Whitman commissioners Thursday approved a motion to apply for the Freight Rail Assistance Program which would be in effect for 2020.

According to the Washington State Department of Transportation, FRAP is a grant program open to applicants in both the public and private sector. The type of projects must be shown to maintain or improve the freight rail system in the state and benefit the state's interests.

If approved, the grant funds will be used for repairs needed at the Port of Central Ferry. Currently, repairs that are being made there are $3,000 or less each year.